Interview: Karma Castilho
Luca Curci talks with Karma Castilho during the 15th Edition of VENICE INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2022, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

Karma was born in Hong Kong, she is a Eurasian of Portuguese and Chinese. She works with acrylic paintings because she is a quick painter that enjoys the freedom of expression with this medium. As a self-learnt art, Karma realized the process of painting could be very therapeutic and healing. She encountered acrylic painting when she had knee surgery over ten years ago, and she had to stay indoors for most of her recovery for many months. During that period, Karma slowly enjoys the joy of painting and since then, she never stops painting. Most of her paintings come from her subconscious mind. Apart from using regular painting equipment, she even use kitchen ‘issues, toothpicks, hands, sponges, toothbrushes whatever she could find in the household. She has produced over 200 paintings within 15 years. In 2019, Karma decided to participate in on-line art competitions that brought her several awards. She then started to participate in private gallery shows in Hong Kong, joined a digital exhibition in Milan as well as in New York and recently, one of her paintings participated in Italy. Karma is also one of the artist in MADs Milan Italy. Her paintings could also be found on a French website “Artmajeur.com”. Furthermore, one of her paintings was used as a cover page for a book to be published in Oct 2022 named “Who Cares Wins” The Art and Science of Crisis Negotiation” and several of her paintings could also be found in the book “Imprint” (The Annual Anthology of Women in Publishing Society Hong Kong). The purpose of her paintings was to share the positive energies that were produced through her paintings with the viewers.

Luca Curci – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
Karma Castilho – Please refer to the attached biography. Most of my paintings come from intrusively. I love the outdoors and the image pop-ups, without putting a lot of effort into it. Most of my paintings are completed within an hour or so. I enjoy having a free flow in painting, it is like whatever comes around sticks around.

LC – What are your thoughts while you paint? Do you have any habits or rituals while you work?
KC – No thoughts when I first approach my canvas. Sometimes I might have some things I wanted to paint but as I have never learnt how to draw or paint, I realize it is much better to go with the flow and as I follow it, it will eventually let me know how to complete the work. I only need a large table, in many of my paintings I enjoy using my hands so basically I need a flat surface.

LC – How is your creative process?
KC – It comes in very naturally. I do not wish to put pressure on my paintings. Painting with hands brings some energy into the painting itself. If I relaxed while I paint, the finished product itself will be able to express itself on its own. It is very much like cooking, if a cook is happy while he is cooking the person that eats his food knows.

LC – How is being an artist nowadays?
KC – Good question. I know it is not easy for people to pursue their interests or hobbies in life, especially in Hong Kong. This is a very commercial place to be. Peoples are busy in the commercial city. I certainly hope there are more opportunities for artists to enjoy sharing their work with the communities to make a balance in busy city life. Children are nowadays only busy playing with devices and I do hope they can put the time to pursue their interests in creativities because I felt this is essential to balance society. Even the buildings in Hong Kong are very concrete, you hardly see greens, and plants grown in buildings. Same with arts. Appreciation of Art makes a person leads a honourable lifestyle.

LC – Do visitors’ suggestions enrich yourself and your art?
KC – It is a pity I cannot go to Italy so I have no idea. Whatever, I created is out of my own intrusion and for sharing.

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the exhibition?
KC – I think it is a great vision and I love the theme

LC – Do you think ITSLIQUID Group can represent an opportunity for artists?
KC – I am standing in the view of an overseas from Hong Kong, I do truly appreciate being granted this wonderful opportunity which we seldom have in Hong Kong. Being able to participate with different artists helps to remind me I am an artist as well. In Hong Kong we do have fine arts or art history in universities, however, peoples like my good selves are self-learners, I spend many hours exploring and learning in my own ways but I found it difficult to promote myself without having a proper certificate. Shouldn’t art be for every creative people to express and share?